24th March 2004
OptiNose Signs Pilot Production Deal
with Team
OptiNose today announced at the Nasal Drug Delivery
Conference in London that it has signed a pilot
production deal for its Bi-Directional Delivery
device. The announcement coincided with the company
presenting new flow modelling data and clinical
results on the technology at the conference.
According to CEO Helena Kyttari Djupesland, OptiNose
is now entering an exciting phase of development.
“Having secured further funding, we now
also have the scientific and clinical justification
to take our Bi-Directional technology forward.
The pilot production deal we have signed with
Team Consulting and the Tech Group will enable
us to take advantage of growing interest from
pharmaceutical companies. This interest reflects
the widespread advantages and applications of
the technology. Bi-Directional Technology is more
effective than traditional spray pumps in reaching
target areas, enables nose-to-brain delivery and
offers a viable alternative to needle injection.
Furthermore the technology can be used for both
existing and new topical and systemic drugs, as
well as vaccines. The project aims for device
samples to be ready for the autumn.”
OptiNose chose UK-based Team because of their
particular strength and depth of expertise in
the design and development of drug delivery devices,
built over many years’ experience in pulmonary,
nasal and parenteral projects. Andy Fry, Director:
“At Team, we feel that nasal delivery is
an important and promising route which has not,
to date, received the attention it warrants. We
believe that the OptiNose technology is the most
exciting development in nasal drug delivery we
have seen for a decade, and are delighted to be
working with OptiNose to realise the potential
of their ideas”.
The Tech Group, a global contract manufacturing
company specialising in medical products, will
collaborate with OptiNose and Team Consulting
on the design of components and tooling for manufacture,
so that the device parts are made reliably and
economically with robust tooling and assembly
systems and ensure the transfer into scale up
production. Paul Flavell, Business Development
Manager: “The Tech Group are delighted to
have been selected as the device clearly demonstrates
clinical benefits that should make it attractive
to pharmaceutical companies. We look forward to
participating in the project and contributing
to OptiNose’s future success”.
The data presented at the conference showed the
results of a deposition study involving a functional
prototype which demonstrated one of the key benefits
of OptiNose Bi-Directional technology –
the elimination of the risk of lung inhalation.
This was backed by nasal flow modelling data on
particle size showing that Bi-Directional Technology
is suitable for not only single-, but also duo-
and multi-dosing. Finally interesting results
from a Phase 1 clinical trial were presented.
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